The objectives of this study are to:

• Evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of NT-proBNP (N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide) and new biomarker measurements for the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with acute dyspnea and/or edema.
• Determine the exact biomarker cut-off point(s) for the differentiation of healthy persons, patients with heart failure and patients with dyspnea of other origin.
• Evaluate treatment costs in patients with dyspnea under special consideration of NT-proBNP measurement.

Primary endpoint:

• Sensitivity and specificity of biomarker measurements for discrimination of heart failure from dyspnea of other origin.

Secondary endpoints:

• Determination of Cut-off(s)
• Discrimination of cardiac and non-cardiac diseases causing to dyspnea or peripheral edema
• Determination of treatment costs of the initial hospital stay
• Evaluation of resource savings when implementing NT-proBNP for determination of diagnosis.
• Time to diagnosis.
• Hospitalization rate /Intensive care treatment rate between day 1 and 28
• Duration of initial hospital stay
• 30-day re-hospitalization rate
• 30 day mortality rate and adverse event rate
• 1 and 5 year mortality rates
• 1 and 5 year rehospitalization rates

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-90 years
• Dyspnea or/and peripheral edema
• Informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Renal insufficiency with creatinine > 2.8mg/dl
• Anemia (hemoglobin < 8.0mg/dl)
• Pregnancy

Patients suffering from dyspnea and peripheral edema